Scattering the Seed
I have put myself out there over and over again never really knowing where the conversation will lead.
Mark 4:1-41
Reference: v.4 "As he (the farmer) was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up." (NIV Bible)
Explore: 15 months ago I moved to a new suburb with the view to start a new congregation in the local area. South Morang is one of the quickest growing suburbs in Melbourne (Australia) as housing developers are building estates on what use to be farming land. Now, whenever one moves to a new area you start off meeting lots of new people. Over the last year I have accustomed myself to contacting many people I have never met before. On top of that, whenever one plans to build a new congregation you hope to make contact with lots of new people who wish to explore their faith. With these two aspects in my life combined I have had many opportunities to pick up the phone and dial a total 'strangers' number. I have put myself out there over and over again never really knowing where the conversation will lead. Sometimes it ends fairly clearly. Other times an unsuspecting conversation will lead to something much deeper.
Application: Over the last 15 months as I have made contact with so many new people I have been reminded of this parable that Jesus told. The farmer goes out and scatters the seed amongst different soils. Every time I pick up the phone and call someone I've never met before, it reminds me of the farmer scattering the seed. I'm never sure if the person I'm calling is going to be the path, the rocky place, the thorny ground or the good soil. Sometimes I'm expecting the rocky place but it ends up being good soil. Sometimes I'm expecting good soil but it ends up being thorny ground. I'm never really sure. But this parable has been an encouragement to me. Every time I grow weary of meeting someone new or picking up the phone again, I think of this parable. And the hope of scattering seed on the good soil gives me strength to keep going.
Prayer: Lord, we never know how others will perceive us. Help us to be persistent in keeping our light shining for You. Amen.
In what area are you struggling to scatter the seed for God?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.